Olympic Rugby sevens champion this summer at the Paris Games with the reinforcement of Antoine Dupont, the French men’s team will once again be able to benefit from the reinforcement of 14 Top 14 players, announced the National Rugby League and the federation Wednesday November 20.
Players on the “Objective 2028” list “may be freely requested by France VII during the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 seasons within the limit of 12 weeks per season (i.e. 84 days)”announce the two institutions in a joint press release.
Mateo Garcia among the selected
The players will thus be able to prepare with the men’s team, and compete in international tournaments throughout the year, by strengthening those already under federal contract and who devote themselves exclusively to rugby sevens, and the players in training with their club and benefiting from an agreement with the FFR. This is an extension of the system already put in place for Paris-2024, with a view to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
READ ALSO. Antoine Dupont named among the best rugby sevens players in the world
After these two seasons, an assessment will be made in order to adapt the framework, so that the French VII team “may have exclusive access to certain players during certain periods”adds the press release.
Union Bordeaux-Bègles fly-half Mateo Garcia, Lyon winger Ethan Dumortier (who also has six XV selections) or Toulouse center Dimitri Delibes are part of the Objectif 2028 list, as are several Olympic champions like Jefferson-Lee Joseph (Perpignan) or Antoine Zeghdar (Castres).
The French team will make its return to the world circuit, which it won last year in the final in Madrid, on the weekend of November 30 and December 1 in Dubai.
The 14 players on the 2028 Objective List
Enzo Benmegal (RC Vannes), Hoani Bosmorin (Stade Rochelais), Auguste Cadot (Montpellier Hérault Rugby), Esteban Capilla (Aviron Bayonnais), Thomas Carol (Section Paloise), Dimitri Delibes (Stade Toulousain), Ethan Dumortier (LOU Rugby), Yerim Fall (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Mateo Garcia (Union Bordeaux-Bègles), Jefferson-Lee Joseph (USA Perpignan), Paul Leraitre (Racing 92), Ryan Rebbadj (RC Toulon), Andy Timo (Stade Français) and Antoine Zeghdar (Castres Olympique)
